The Widow's War (40 page)

I have previously written about the Civil War in my novel
The Notorious Mrs. Winston
. One question I am frequently asked is: “Was the Civil War fought over slavery?” In Kansas, slavery was the only real issue. Although it sometimes masqueraded under the banner of States’ Rights or Southern Rights, the question of whether or not Kansas was going to enter the Union free or slave was the explosive problem that polarized America, pitted North against South, and helped get Abraham Lincoln elected president. It is telling that Kansas was only admitted to the Union as a free state in January of 1861, after South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana had already seceded.

I like to imagine that if the men of Keyhole Draw had existed, Elizabeth and the Adairs would have made sure they were swiftly conducted to Canada and freedom after the Battle of Beau Rivage. When the Civil War officially began, perhaps some would have returned to Kansas to fight with the First Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment, which had the distinction of being the first unit composed of men of African descent to engage in battle with Confederate troops.

I am indebted to many people who helped me during the process of writing
The Widow’s War
. First, I would like to thank novelist Sheldon Greene who read every draft multiple times. As always, his feedback and suggestions were invaluable. Thanks also to Donald Worster; Bev erley Worster; Wes Jackson; Paul Kamen; the members of the WELL Experts Topic; Roy L. Hudson of the National Railway Historical Society; Jackie Cantor, my wonderful editor at Berkley Books; and my husband, Angus Wright, who, besides giving me support and encouragement, accompanied me on a research trip through Kansas and Missouri in the summer of 2006. A historian and native-born Kansan, Angus led me to the place that served as the model for Keyhole Draw and provided me with information and insights not to be found elsewhere.